The definitions of roadster/convertible were designations of their day. At
the time a convertible (meaning a car with a fold down top and wind up
windows was more desireable and more expensive due to the increased
complexity. A roadster was more spartan and less refined.
Evidently the marketing types started to think the term roadster sounded
more appealing after "true" new production "roadsters" became few and far
between. I do not know of any "true" roadsters that are being produced
other than the Caterham.
May I propose that you use the venacular of the time that the car was
produced. If you are talking about an early Sprite or Midget it should be
a roadster if the top comes off; convertible if it folds down.
Herb G.
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